totally able to claw their way free. I’m fine. Stay where you are.
If she was wrong, if the race had changed, had learned to control the bloodlust and the pups were indeed hellhounds...if Destruction turned his wrath on them...
There would be hell to pay.
“Baden never mentioned a hellhound scent,” she said.
“His senses aren’t as highly developed.”
Keeping her expression neutral proved to be a challenge, but she did it. “Well. As you said, hellhounds are extinct. Centuries have passed. Your nose could be playing tricks on you. Or maybe hellhounds once lived here. The place is old. Now. Stop stalling and—roll—over.”
He obeyed at last, and she knew it wasn’t because he’d suddenly decided to trust her. He probably intended to test her. A test she would pass with an A++, gold star, or whatever grading system he used.
She trailed her fingertips down the ridges of his spine, over the knots between his shoulders and down, down to the tight globes of his ass, continuing until he melted into the mattress. Soon, he began to purr.
“You’re so hard and soft at the same time,” she said.
“You like this.” A demand, not a question.
“I do.” She increased the pressure of her touch, massaging his muscles. His purrs soon became...snores? He’d fallen asleep? Really? A smile tugged at the corners of her lips. Clearly, this beauty had just bagged and tagged two beasts.
* * *
As morning sunlight poured into the bedroom, Baden tugged on a pair of battle fatigues. He was a bit unbalanced. Destruction was calm, almost content—would he next break out in song like a Disney princess?
I’m happy.
I know. And it’s weirding me out.
Baden anchored weapons to his arms, his waist and ankles, his focus remaining on Katarina as she ate the “thanks for your help” breakfast Fox had delivered. Pancakes and eggs. There were dark smudges on her forearms. Definitely not dirt. Probably bruises. Anger... He’d handled her roughly. Next time he would have to be more careful.
Her features were soft, luminous, her skin still flushed from this morning’s debauchery.
The phone in his pocket vibrated, and he checked the screen. A text from Torin.
William wants revenge against the satyr & our help to get it
William would have to call in his favor if he desired Baden’s help. Two birds, one stone. “Where are the dogs?” he asked Katarina.
Her head canted to the side, as if she were listening for the pitter-patter of their feet. “In the backyard playing. Why?”
He frowned at her. “You can hear them from here?” The windows were closed, the yard on the other side of the palace.
Though color stained her cheeks, she shrugged off the oddity as unimportant. “I’m a momma bear, and they’re my cubs.” She smiled at him, the sweetness not quite reaching her eyes. “You and Destruction better not hurt them.”
Why would she say such a thing? “I would never. Why would you think otherwise?”
She licked her lips, clearly nervous. “Destruction mentioned his hatred for hellhounds, and I hope the hatred doesn’t extend to all canines.”
“The beast speaks to you?” Anger bloomed. “Without me?”
“Sometimes,” she said with a shrug.
Baden hated the thought of the beast interacting with her without his aid. “He hates hellhounds for a good reason. His mother sold him to the Master of Dark Pleasures. The former king of the underworld kept young...sex slaves.” Last night, the horrific memories had invaded his dreams. “Destruction ran and hellhounds gave chase...dragged him back to hell.”
The color drained from Katarina’s cheeks. “I despise the horrors he suffered. I do. But not all packs are—were—ambassadors of evil, I’m sure.”
Katarina, forever the dog lover. “Our pups will never suffer at his hand.”
Her eyes flared with hope. “You vow it?”
Her lack of trust cut at him, but he looked past it. From the beginning, he’d told this woman to fear him. He’d earned this. “I do.”
“Thank you.” Changing gears, she looked him over and whistled. “Sexy man. Are you headed out on another mission?”
“I am.”
“Well. If you refrain from killing today, I’ll do very naughty things to you...with my mouth.”
Both he and Destruction roared with a desire so hot the flames might never be extinguished. “I want that. And I will have that. Today. I go to see Aleksander.”
Her eyes widened. “You’re going to let him live?”
“I am. But he must sever his tie with you. Afterward, I’ll lock him away. He’ll never be freed, will die in his cell.”
Katarina set her plate on the nightstand and blew him a kiss. “You, Baden, are a wonderful man.